Microlinkpc is the master distributer of the Ubi Duo Our mission is to shatter face-to-face communication barriers and empower, deaf, hard of hearing, hearing people and others with communication barriers the freedom to interact face-to-face with anyone, anywhere and at any time.

What is Face-to-face communication

• Face-to-face communication occurs when two people simply strike up a conversation across each other at a desk, over coffee, in the lobby, in an office without a conscious effort.

• Face-to-face conversation can be as quick a sa chat in the professor’s office, at the person’s desk, in the conference, at an appointment, at the library, in the dorm, or in a meeting.

With the UbiDuo Family members connect Deaf and hearing friends converse Colleagues work more closely together You can communicate instantly anywhere because it’s always there when you need it

Private in converstation

UbiDuo ensures a secure and private converstation whenever and wherever you need it with password protected conversations.

No Wi-Fi or 3G needed

With the UbiDuo you don’t need Wi-Fi or 3G. You simply turn it on and go. Secure wireless connection up to 500 feet. Now with HDMI output for easier sharing.

No more guessing when lip reading

Your communication on the screen means no more second guessing what someone said or meant.Communication in 5 seconds

Communicaton within 5 seconds

The UbiDuo gets you communicating within 5 seconds, meaning you can chat with anyone, anywhere without waiting!

sComm continues to advance face-to-face communication technology with the introduction of the latest evolution of the UbiDuo. This sleek new model is the world's foremost communication solution for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or hearing. It has a color touch screen and is light and portable at half the size of the original UbiDuo. The unique patented hinge technology holds the two halves securely in place for easy transportation, and its 8-hour battery life ensures you won't be left stranded in the middle of those important conversations.
 
Try the new UbiDuo whenever you need a solution to facilitate face-to-face communication between deaf/hard-of-hearing and hearing people. This revolutionary device will help to eliminate bluffing, frustration and Communiphobia, as well as promote communication equality. Use it to empower people to share their thoughts and emotions seamlessly in real time just as in a normal conversation.
 
The Standard Wireless model of the UbiDuo connects each half with a built-in proprietary networking protocol that has a range of up to 300 feet.

Specifications

 

 Hardware

Standard wireless network connection - 2.4GHz Zigbee wireless transceiver
NXP ARM 9 CPU
128MB total storage (28MB reserved for operating system, 100MB for user storage)
7-inch diagonal color touch screen
8-hour lithium-polymer battery pack
4-pound total weight (2 lbs per half)
Micro USB port for charging
USB type A port for connecting flash storage
HDMI port for connecting a TV or projector
Patented hinge technology
Kensington anti-theft slots on each half

Software

UbiOS 1
Real-time split screen interface
Customizable fonts (12 point to 72 point)
Customizable text and background colors
Password protection on saved conversations
Password protection on configuration settings

Since we announced the UbiDuo 2 on January 26, certain people have questioned whether we should focus some of our efforts on mobile devices in addition to the UbiDuo 2. Since the general trend nowadays is towards more and more mobile devices which are taking the place of personal computers, it makes sense that many people may think that mobile devices would make a good platform for face-to-face communication.
 
Some of you might be wondering why we didn't answer that question a long time ago. Others may remember our pre-announcement of the UbiVia mobile communications application in the summer of 2010. The fact is that we have already put a significant amount of funding and development time into building a mobile application that works the exact same way as the UbiDuo, and yet the UbiDuo simply provides the best and most efficient method for face-to-face communication.
 
During the research we performed as part of our 2005 NIH grant, we used several unsuspecting focus groups to compare face-to-face interaction on a variety of devices ranging from a cell phone keyboard to a laptop keyboard. The results of that research concluded that in order to have meaningful and non-superficial face-to-face conversations, a standard keyboard was the best way to go. A significant discovery from that focus group study was that the users preferred a smaller display on top of a standard keyboard connected to another half with a standard keyboard and display.
 
Somehow we pushed these original findings aside when we started the work on UbiVia, but that work helped to bring us back to square one - the fact that the answer was already looking back at us in the form of the UbiDuo.
 
This certainly does not mean that we don't want any more feedback in regard to mobile devices. Everyone who loves the UbiDuo, those who haven't tried the UbiDuo yet but know how powerful it is, and even naysayers who can't comprehend how the UbiDuo can benefit anyone have nonetheless been a valuable source of feedback that has pushed us forward to the UbiDuo 2. You were the ones who told us the answer to the question you are asking. Instead of summarizing what we have already learned from you, let's think about a few questions and see what answers you might have to them.
 
Let's consider the mobile devices you might already have. Almost everyone carries around an iPhone or an Android phone. Why shouldn't sComm make an app such as UbiVia available for those platforms which people could use to communicate with each other?  Even though many apps are available on both iOS and Android platforms, how many people seriously want to spend hours thumb-pecking those little bitty keys or fixing touch-screen mistakes? Even if Swype or other speed-typing apps were used, the fact that touch screens require the entire keyboard to be displayed on-screen means less space available for a split-screen display. Wouldn't it be better to have a large screen so you can fit as much of your conversation on the screen as possible?
 
Let's go a bit further...how would you respond if your conversation with that seldom-seen relative was interrupted by a text message notification popping up in the middle of your mobile device's screen, or if your mobile videophone or phone app started ringing? You could certainly ignore those interruptions, but what if your spouse is trying to reach you with an emergency call? Such interruptions can result in a complete break in the flow of your conversation due to the necessity of switching to a completely different context. Even though interruptions are a normal part of most conversations, in non-mobile situations the parties can continue their conversation even while one is texting, checking the mobile calendar, or looking for contact information to share.
 
If an app such as UbiVia is integrated into your mobile device, would it not be necessary to obtain another matching device in order to provide the same functionality as the UbiDuo? Or would you be brave enough to chase down friends, family members, employees or strangers and ask them to download UbiVia just so you can have a simple sit down face-to-face conversation with them?
 
Another thought is that since it's impossible to guarantee that everyone would have the exact same version of an app on their mobile devices, there is always a possibility that incompatible versions could prevent interoperability between two persons' devices, thus preventing any conversation from taking place until the situation is fixed.
 
Would your cell phone's data plan be negatively affected by any heavy data usage? Would that extra mobile device also tie you to an additional monthly phone bill every month? What if the cell phone network is down? How then could your mobile device provide functional equivalency to the UbiDuo since the UbiDuo has its own built in wireless network that does not depend on a cell phone network, Wi-Fi or the Internet?
 
Then there is the stigma associated with use of cell phones and mobile devices in certain situations. How would you explain to your colleagues at work, or your peers in class, or your parishioners at church that you are using your mobile device for a valid communication purpose, and not texting someone or playing games instead of listening to the speaker? How would you convince the security people to let you use mobile devices to communicate in a courthouse or wherever cell phones are prohibited as such as at the DMV or Post Office? Do you think a deaf employee standing behind the Post Office counter would spend the entire workday communicating with customers on a cell phone?
 
Doesn't it seem as if every answer to these questions points to the UbiDuo as the ideal solution for face-to-face communication instead of a mobile device? We welcome your feedback, input and thoughts on this topic.

Why Is UbiDuo2

Better Than Mobile Devices?

Introduction To The UbiDuo

Important Information

Charging the UbiDuo

Separating the UbiDuo

Turning On The UbiDuo

UbiDuo Main Screen

UbiDuo Split Screen

Connecting The Two

Halves Of The UbiDuo

Turning Off The UbiDuo

UbiDuo Auto-Link

UbiDuo Battery Indicator

How does the UbiDuo benefit the user?

No, the UbiDuo does not replace an interpreter; rather, it fills the communication void when an interpreter is not available.  In any given month, many of our users have told us that an interpreter is only available during a small portion of time.  Due to a shortage of qualified interpreters, schedule conflicts or cost, it is not feasible to expect that an interpreter will be available each and every time one is desired.  In contrast, the UbiDuo is available 24 hours a day and can readily be employed to fill a variety of communication gaps. Most importantly, the UbiDuo is a communication device that empowers the deaf and the hearing person to interact with each other one-on-one with 100% Communication Equality. 

How many people can use the

UbiDuo at the same time? 

The UbiDuo is a portable stand-alone communication device with two halves that can be carried anywhere at any time.  There is no need to look for another computer, tablet or cell phone for your chat partner to use. IM does not provide the same real-time conversation experience as the UbiDuo. With IM, a person has to type a line of text and then hit Enter to send it to the other party.  IM is not much different from writing notes back and forth, except that networked computers are used instead of paper and pen. The UbiDuo enables simultaneous real-time conversation.  At the moment a key is pressed, it is immediately transmitted to the other half for display.  There is no need to press Enter, and each partner can type and read at the same time.  Also, there is no need to be connected to a network in order to use the UbiDuo, since it has its own built-in wireless network. 

How is the UbiDuo different from

instant messaging (IM)?

Writing notes is slow. It takes time, and when one person is writing, the other is left hanging, loses focus and can easily lose track of what he wanted to say. The UbiDuo provides simultaneous real-time communication. You don’t have to wait for the other person to finish typing before you can say what’s on your mind, just as you would in a real conversation. And with the split screen, you can see your side of the conversation AND your partner’s.  The UbiDuo is a neutral conduit through which two persons can easily, quickly and seamlessly express themselves to each other. 

What's the difference between

the UbiDuo & writing notes back & forth? 

Does the UbiDuo replace an interpreter?

The UbiDuo provides 100% communication equality between people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing, with zero bluffing, zero frustration, and zero Communiphobia. The UbiDuo is available 24/7/365, even when interpreters are not.

Who buys the UbiDuo?

How many people can use the

UbiDuo at the same time? 

 

A single UbiDuo unit is composed of two halves, which provides a two-way chat capability.  The halves of another unit can be connected to those of the first unit in order to provide three-way or four-way chat capability. 

Who Uses the UbiDuo?

Do English skills matter?

No, English skills do not matter. What matters is the freedom to exchange thoughts and share ideas and information in your own words.  If one makes posts on Facebook, uses a cell phone to send text messages to family and friends, uses e-mail to correspond with others, or watches a captioned TV show or movie, then that person’s English is good enough to carry on a conversation with the UbiDuo. 

The UbiDuo is purchased by a variety of clients, including businesses, doctors, lawyers, financial consultants, hospitals, government agencies, schools and churches.  In short, many organizations that employ deaf or hard of hearing persons or offer services to them will find the UbiDuo to be an invaluable tool. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting to Know the UbiDuo

The UbiDuo is used across the U.S and around the world. From teachers to students, workers to bosses, patients to doctors and nurses, people from all walks of life in all types of industries use the UbiDuo to communicate freely. The UbiDuo is most often used by deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people to communicate with each other, but it has also been used by intubated hospital patients who are unable to speak and persons who have communication disorders.

A single UbiDuo unit is composed of two halves, which provides a two-way chat capability.  The halves of another unit can be connected to those of the first unit in order to provide three-way or four-way chat capability. 

The wired UbiDuo is connected by a cable which is used to transmit the conversation from one half to the other.  In order to meet security requirements, it does not have any wireless capability. The wireless UbiDuo does not use a wired connection. 

Does the UbiDuo need internet

or wi-fi access?

No. The UbiDuo communicates on its own secured wireless frequency. 

FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) are a set of standards that describe document processing, encryption algorithms and other information technology standards for use within non-military government agencies and by government contractors and vendors who work with the agencies. 

 

The UbiDuo set can communicate with each other at range of up to 300 feet. 

The interface cable that connects the two UbiDuo halves is 10 feet long. 

What is the difference between a

wireless UbiDuo and a wired UbiDuo? 

 

What is the wireless range?

How long is the wired cable?

What is FIPS?

Is the UbiDuo password

enabled for security?

Yes, you may establish a password on the UbiDuo for additional security. 

Yes, each half of the UbiDuo is equipped with a Kensington lock for added security. 

Does the UbiDuo have a security

lock for a surface? 

What does the UbiDuo weigh?

What is the UbiOS?

Can you change the text font

size and color?

Can you change the background

color of the split screen? 

Does the UbiDuo print?

Does the UbiDuo save conversations?

Yes, the text font can be adjusted from 12 points to 72 points, and its color can also be adjusted to your preference. 

Yes. The background on the split-screen display can be customized to your preference. This is especially helpful for people who have visual difficulties. 

Yes, up to 100 MB of space is available to save conversations on the UbiDuo.  However, conversations are not saved automatically - the user must explicitly instruct the UbiDuo to save a conversation. 

The UbiDuo can load saved conversations onto a flash drive via the standard USB port.  If the flash drive is then connected to a computer, it can be used to print those conversations. 

The UbiDuo weighs four pounds; each half weighs two pounds. 

The UbiOS is the new UbiDuo’s operating system.  It controls the interaction between the user and the hardware, and provides all the features that allow the UbiDuo to be customized to each user’s preferences. 

 

Yes, the Save feature can be disabled for additional security. 

The standard USB port is used to attach a flash drive so that saved conversations can be copied onto it. This feature can also be disabled for additional security. 

Can the Save feature be disabled?

What is the standard USB port for?

The micro USB port is used to connect the power cable for charging the UbiDuo’s batteries. It also provides a connection for the wired UbiDuo to use for transmitting the conversation between the two halves. 

The HDMI port can be used to connect the UbiDuo to a TV or projector. This enables a conversation to be displayed on a larger screen, such as when someone acts as a note-taker and transcribes what’s being said in a group event for the benefit of multiple persons. 

The serial number is behind the split-screen display panel.  Look for it on a barcoded label. 

The UbiDuo battery can last up to 8 hours.

What is the HDMI port for?

How do I find the serial number?

What is the micro USB port for?

How long is the battery life?

How long is the UbiDuo warranty?

The UbiDuo warranty is for one year and includes free software updates. 

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